Acupuncture Treatment for Patients Who Develop Arrhythmias in the Post-Operative Cardio-Thoracic Setting

"The subject is placed in the selected position (lying down or sitting), based on their comfort level. The areas to be needled are prepped with an alcohol swab. Mandatory standards and safety guidelines for acupuncture will be followed.~The acupuncture treatment protocol will be based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. The TCM treatment strategy is designed to Benefit the Heart, Tonify Heart Qi and Blood, Calm and Sedate Cardiac Excitability and Regulate the Qi. Current literature supports the use of selected acupuncture points as possibly beneficial in regulating the autonomic nervous system, modulating Heart Rate Variability (HRV), relieving chest pain, and reducing arrhythmias.~11 sterile, single use, disposable needles will be placed one by one until all needles are in place.~Needles remain in place for additional 20 minutes or so as the patient remains in the selected position~."